SPECIAL ALERT TO ALL VETERANS - Millions of data records compromised

On the heels of a government program designed to educate and protect consumers against identity theft, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today that a data analyst took home a disc with personally identifying information for 26.5 million veterans and some spouses. While the disc was at the employee's home, the house was allegedly burgarlarized and the information was taken. The VA claims that the data includes names, Social Security numbers and dates of birth in addition to "some disability ratings".

"It is incompehensible that any one single employee could remove the entire roster of veteran's information without more elaborate protection," said Consumer Help Web President Joan Bounacos. "How a government employee, no matter how high ranking, can be permitted to hold this information in a transportable medium is something that the government must review. This represents critical data for nearly 1 out of every 10 Americans," she added.

The VA has set up a manned call center that veterans may call to get information about this situation and learn more about consumer identity protections. That toll-free number is 1-800-FED INFO (333-4636). The call center will be open beginning today, and will operate from 8 am to 9 pm (EDT), Monday-Saturday as long as it is needed. The call center will be able to handle up to 20,000 calls per hour (260,000 calls per day).

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs R. James Nicholson has briefed the Attorney General and the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, co-chairs of the President's Identity Theft Task Force. Task Force members have already taken actions to protect the affected veterans, including working with the credit bureaus to help ensure that veterans receive the free credit report they are entitled to under the law. Additionally, the Task Force will meet today to coordinate the comprehensive Federal response, recommend further ways to protect affected veterans, and increase safeguards to prevent the reoccurrence of such incidents.

posted by Consumer Help Web Editorial Team at 4:01 PM |